Breakfast with New Family

[Cascata Stregazza]

I smiled at them both and with a slightly teasing Grin I said, "Well, if To-Biko wants it how can I say no?" I then turned a little more serious and said, "That sounds fine. I might even come around and watch once in a while for a sport."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“Why not?” I replied with a teasing grin of my own. “Perhaps you will learn something of your own then?”

“It’s something I’ve been considering recently,” I said with a shrug. “There really isn’t anywhere in this city for such activities – I suppose everyone has one of their own, though why no-one ever made one here is beyond me.”

[Cascata Stregazza]

I tried to think of myself as a warrior or at least a ameature sword fighter. I didn't really see it happening. Usually I spent the greatest of my physical stamina in a bed with another person.

"I don't think I'm meant for sword play," I told Gil with a smile, in response to his tease. "I guess you could say I'm more of a lover than a fighter."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“I’ll take your word for it,” I replied with a smile as I tried very hard to not think about my sister’s sexual life. That she go to Mandrake was one thing, and I didn’t mind her telling me about her appreciation of this House or that House, but there were visuals I preferred to avoid.

[Riva Carle (R)]

I slipped back into the dining room and into my chair, trying not to interrupt the conversation that was going on.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

And just then, Riva slipped back in, ending our semi-akward conversation, perhaps unbeknownst… or maybe not. I smiled, and said, “So, how did Daisy find the garden?”

[Riva Carle (R)]

“She likes it very much,” I said with a smile. “Lots of new places to explore.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“Excellent,” I said with a smile. “I’m certain that she’ll be more than welcome to play,” Giovanna came in with a large plate of pancakes, and she added in her very tender, motherly way, “as long as she is gentle to the flowers.”

I took a long whiff of the wonderful dish. It was exceedingly enticing.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Oh, she will be, I promise,” I said quickly. “She likes flowers very much, that’s why she picked one for her name. she won’t hurt them.”

[Gillermo Stregazza]

Giovanna made a satisfied sound before she disappeared back into the kitchen, and I gave Riva a grin. “Welcome to the family. I think you’ll be fine here,” I said as I served myself a healthy helping of pancakes. “Help yourself,” I added. “In the morning, we do things rather simply.”

To that, To-Biko gave a happy grunt, and he took the plate, whisking it away and serving Riva and my sister both a healthy helping. I wondered if he felt different too, now that the beast was gone. Likely so. He was bristling with life.

[Riva Carle (R)]

The pancakes smelled incredible and I took a bite. I made a soft sound of delight and set myself to work towards cleaning my plate.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I started to have a healthy bite of pancake, when a soft pad interrupted us. Hurriedly, Giovanna went to the door, but she came back a moment later.

“My Lord Gillermo, there is a delivery for you,” she said apologetically. “They insist on delivering it to you personally.” I let out a grunt of sorts, knowing already what type of matter this was.

“Have them see me in the antechamber,” I told Giovanna. Deftly, she went off to tend. I took a few more bites, knowing I would come back to a cold plate, then wiped my lips with the ornate napkin.

“If you’ll excuse me, ladies, To-Biko,” I said as I stood and gave them a nod. “I will return anon.”

With that, I went to tend to matters. Why in the world the Doge felt every single one of his missives had to be delivered to me personally was beyond me. In a way, it wasn't bad. This was a chance for Riva to acquaint herself with the family without me hovering about like a protective mother hen. They'd be good to her, I knew.

[Cascata Stregazza]

I was about to grab a single pancake when To-biko felt the need to bless me with many more. I smiled a thanks at him, anyhow, and proceeded to nibble on them. I had just ate a bit and wasn't trying to add fluff to my figure.

A message came for GIl and he excused himself leaving me with Riva and To-Biko. I smiled at them both but made more conversation toward Riva. Me and To-Biko had never been that chatty toward each other and we both seemed happy enough with the setup.

"If there is anything you need you can ask me as well, espcially if it has anything to do with female related items." I peaked toward To-Biko when I mentioned it to see if he'd give any reaction. But, he kept his usual stoic expression.

[Riva Carle (R)]

Gil swept off and I focused on my food for a moment. I was fairly sure I was going to get full before I was really ready to be done eating. Hopefully I could talk Tia into making these for me again.

“Thank you,” I said to Cascata, though I wasn’t quite sure what she might mean. But then again, all of my memories included boys and girls doing most everything together.

[Cascata Stregazza]

"It's no problem," I told Riva with a smile. I finished a pancake and put my fork down. Smiling appologetically to To-Biko I took my drink to sip on so it would still have a good reason to be sitting there. I knew very little about Riva and since she seemed pretty soft spoken I had a feeling it would take some time to learn much about her.

I didn't want her to think that I was trying to be too prying, so I kept the conversation simple and light. "How long have you had your cat?" I asked.

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Since just after Longest Night,” I answered after another bite. “Aleron gave her to me as a gift when I started my marque.”

[Cascata Stregazza]

"It is a cute gift," I said looking at the cat. And with a smile added, "one that will stay cute for a long time." Since I figured she wouldn't reveal anything that was to personal I asked, "is Aleron a friend?"

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Yes, but he’s more than that. He’s my other half,” I answered plainly. It was a bit hard to describe exactly what Aleron was to me, he was my ability to live and survive and think and love. What did one call that?

[Cascata Stregazza]

I nodded, chewing on a small bite of pancake though I had told myself I would stop after the one. The only people I had heard use the phrase before were married couples. I knew Riva wouldn't be married having just had her marque bought, or at least I was pretty sure she wouldn't be. I had never heard of a married adept.

So, instead of asking a question that could make me look foolish I instead said, "it must be nice to have someone like that. I have Gil and love him, but while we will always be siblings at some point we will lead seperate lives." I paused for a moment and then said, "if you don't mind me asking, where is Aleron right now?"

[Riva Carle (R)]

“Jaiden Liatris owns his marque at the moment,” I answered. “He lives at her house here in the City.”

[Cascata Stregazza]

I nodded in response. It would be strange to be owned by someone as the adepts sometimes are. They have plenty of rights, they are not slaves, but still it must be a strange existance. Though I guess if someone grew up in a House from a young age it wouldn't be that odd to them.

"Well, at least he is not to overly far away," I said with a smile. I thought of my friends back home and the people I had meet and had no clue where they were. At least I have been able to meet new people while here. I hoped then that me and Riva could become good friends too. "I am not one to pry, but if you ever do want to talk about anything, just know that I am here." I gave her my most warm smile and said, "if you ever have anything you want to speak of in confidence you can trust that I am not one to gossip or spread tales."

[Riva Carle (R)]

I returned her smile, feeling the truth and sincerity of her words.

“Thank you,” I said, touched. “And if there’s anything I can ever do for you, I will do my very best.”